The number of people travelling the world has not been heavily impacted by the credit crunch, according to the Lonely Planet.
According to the travel guide, the number of people embarking on long and short trips has not reduced dramatically in the past year, although some are choosing to pass on certain areas of their trip in order to make cash go further.
David Else, author at the Lonely Planet, explained that for many younger people, travelling remains a rite of passage after they leave school.
"But it's not just young people: career breaks and 'gap years for grown ups' are increasingly popular. They may travel around Europe or around the world," he continued.
He said that people of all ages are drawn to gap-year trips for the opportunity to experience a lifestyle that is wholly different from that experienced at home.
According to Road Junky Travel, the top three backpacking destinations in the world are Thailand/Laos, Australia and Amsterdam.
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